International Master's in Advanced Research in Criminology (IMARC)

Why study IMARC?

The International Master’s in Advanced Research in Criminology (IMARC) is the only existing 2-year programme in criminology that focuses on border crossing, security and social justice. The joint programme is offered by four different Universities in Europe.

IMARC deals with crucial issues ranging from the impact of the growing influx of migrants in relation to internal and external border control, transnational organised crime, human rights concerns, urban security and threats of radicalisation and terrorism, to the role of cybercrime, corporate malfeasance and the increase of hate crimes, racism and xenophobia. A major theme in addressing these current issues is the question of how to organize security as well as safeguard human rights. IMARC addresses the need for criminological expertise in the context of a common European criminal justice area coupled with challenges of internal and external border control and wider international developments.

IMARC is a full-time programme that prepares students to engage with current European developments in border-crossing, security and social justice. IMARC aims to enhance the capacity of students to apply new knowledge and advanced analytical skills to problems from an international and interdisciplinary perspective. The programme brings together learning, research and practice through collaboration with already well-established partners among which governments, ngo’s, corporate actors and other Universities, which contributes to the employability of our students.

Focus of IMARC: Border-crossing, security and social justice

Central topics are Theory & Methodology, Geo-Politics, Cities and Urban Transformations, Inclusion and exclusion, Migration, Human Smuggling and Trafficking, Culture and Hybrid Identities, Radicalisation and extremism, European Union Law and Policy on Justice and Home Affairs, and Regulation and Control.

Specialization

To specialize, students choose one of four tracks at four European Universities:

• Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands): Global flows, local dilemma’s and glocal answers
• University of Ghent (Belgium): European Union criminal policy and justice in context
• University of Kent (UK): Border crossing – theory, culture, power, and the global
• University of Bologna (Italy): Border control and the International dimension of crime and punishment

Access to the field

Through IMARC you can also utilize possibilities provided by associate partners, which are: University Hassan (Morocco), University of Hamburg (Germany), Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary) & Koc University (Turkey). In addition, connections with organisations in the field, among which governmental bodies, NGO’s and corporate organisations offer opportunities for research, internships and impact.

Common Study Sessions

The Common Study Programme involves thirteen universities from ten countries. Twice a year, at a different location in the world, these Sessions provide you the opportunity to present papers and come into contact with fellow students. Together you will share knowledge and learn from each other.

Joint programme & Multiple degree

You will receive a double degree (EUR + other university) and possibly, depending on your mobility options, a multiple degree.”

Employment possibilities

After successfully finishing IMARC you will have 2 or more Master of Science degrees. With an IMARC diploma, you are a highly trained professional with criminological expertise, advanced analytical skills, and an international outlook.

The collaborating organisations in the field are also potential employers. Your job opportunities are at NGO’s, governmental bodies and policy makers, and commercial organisations. Your training as a researcher enables you to work not only as a researcher in academic, public and commercial functions but also as a consultant, data analyst, compliance officer, policy adviser and policy maker, advocate, and other functions at a managerial level.

Structure

The IMARC programme is divided into four semesters:

The programme starts at EUR, where you take several basic theoretical and methodological courses in criminology, focusing on international criminology in general and border crossing, security and social justice in particular. In the second semester, you choose a specialization track at one of the four Universities. It is possible to move to another University or location in the third semester for an internship or to do fieldwork for your thesis. If you follow the EUR track, moving to another University is mandatory under the mobility rules (two Universities during the programme). For other tracks, you may also stay at the University within that track. In semester 4 you write your Master’s thesis under supervision of the University at which you follow the track.